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Download Festival 2018 – Sunday Preview

It’s now just one week to go until the music starts at the Download Festival 2018 – so what better time than to bring our readers the final part of our in-depth 2018 preview. Jamie, Ali and Simon will once again guide you through the Rock Sins’ dozen highlighted bands of the day. For those who have missed the previous parts of our Download preview, or for those who would like to check them out again for a reminder, you can use the links below:

And now, on with the Sunday preview, beginning of course with the prince of darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne!

Ozzy Osbourne (Main Stage)

Unbelievably in the 15 years that Download has been going the Prince of Darkness has never headlined it as a solo act. He’s been there three times with Black Sabbath, most recently in 2016, but the last time he flew solo at Donington was at Ozzfest in 2002. You know what to expect from this, nearly four decades worth of absolute classics brought to you by one of the greatest to ever do it, probably for the last time on the hallowed Donington turf. Need we say any more? SC

Marilyn Manson (Main Stage)

Heaven may be upside down, but that’s just as Marilyn Manson likes it at Download. Having performed by the hallowed Donington track ever since the first festival in 2003, the God of Fuck is no stranger to the festival. 2014’s second stage headliner was a mere teaser compared to this year’s main stage sub-headlining slot, no doubt crammed with wall-to-wall bangers you’ll be chanting all the way back to gold camp. Providing the Pale Emperor doesn’t climb any precarious props, there should be a good measure of Arma-goddamn-motherfuckin-geddon and if there isn’t – ‘We Know Where You Fuckin’ Live’. (AC)

Dream State (Avalanche Stage)

They’ve been backed by everyone from Kerrang to Radio One, and those who get up early enough to check out the wonderful Dream State will find out exactly why so many rate them so highly. Their recently released EP Recovery is one of the stand out UK releases of the whole rock / metal scene so far in 2018 and having the platform to showcase their talent could push the band onto the next level. On the current evidence, it would be everything Dream State deserve. Get up early, get some coffee to clear the hangover, and come see Dream State. You WILL NOT regret it. JG

Cradle of Filth (Main Stage)

Cradle of Filth return to Donington after a 12 year absence. In that time they have released a string of blinding new albums and solidified their lineup to the point where they are a well oiled machine, looking to bring some darkness to the masses. One of the UK’s most legendary bands on the biggest stage at the home of rock and metal, yeah this is going to be something to remember. Fingers crossed they are more well received than on their last appearance on the Donington main stage. SC

Kreator (Zippo Encore Stage)

The German gods of thrash come to Download Festival at long last. One of the most heralded bands in their particular genre of metal, Kreator’s presence on the 2018 Download Festival line up is like manna from heaven for those who enjoy a bit of thrash metal. Phantom Antichrist is regarded by many as one of the greatest thrash albums of all time, but Kreator are not a band to live on past glories, with recent album Gods Of Violence was a fixture in many album of the year lists in 2017. Get ready for some serious bangovers after this set. JG

Rise Against (Zippo Encore Stage)

Ten years on from their debut appearance on the legendary Download stage, Rise Against headline the Zippo Encore Stage clutching last year’s anthemic eighth album ‘Wolves’. Got the Sunday festival blues and don’t want to go home for another year? ‘Help Is On The Way’ in the ‘Savior’ hands of Chicago’s finest – you can trust these guys to set the ‘House On Fire’ for us all. (AC)

Black Veil Brides (Main Stage)

A new era of Black Veil Brides has risen since they last graced the Download stage in 2015 – last year’s ‘Vale’ is a defiant statement of intent that Donington’s main stage will see in full on Sunday. The Cincinnati boys are still the ‘Fallen Angels’ they began, but the Wild Ones are facing 2018 with a fresh energy. More importantly for BVB fans, it’s time to ‘Wake Up’ and start treating bands at festivals with the respect they deserve and earn, a courtesy BVB were not granted at 2012’s event. This time, they’ll be bulletproof. (AC)

Body Count (Zippo Encore Stage)

Body Count as lead by legendary rapper Ice-T have always been one of the most relevant and important bands in the game. Last Years’ Bloodlust was one of the most importants album of 2017, and brought the band their first ever grammy nomination in almost thirty years of being together. With a fire that is unmatched live, this performance will be like throwing a lit match into a firework factory. SC

Hatebreed (Main Stage)

A band that need little introduction or fanfare, Hatebreed have always been a band to let their phenomenal live performances do the talking for them. Which is somewhat ironic as their frontman Jamey Jasta has proved himself an excellent orator with his successful podcast The Jasta Show. But at Download 2018, if you are struggling on Sunday lunchtime, if Dream State didn’t do it for you, Hatebreed will be the perfect band to kick the cobwebs away (literally). For those who like to throw down, Hatebreed are probably the must see band of the weekend. Carnage is guaranteed. JG

Turbonegro (Zippo Encore Stage)

What do you do when you’re at Download and all your friends are dead in the Doghouse? Catch Turbonegro on the Zippo Encore Stage on Sunday morning. Their fourth appearance at the festival to date, the timeless Norwegians head back to let us know ‘I Got a Knife’. Don’t ‘Hurry Up & Die’, this time warp back to the golden age of skate punk is not worth missing. (AC)

Zeal and Ardor (Dogtooth Stage)

Zeal and Ardor are one of the most unique bands in existence right now. Mixing black metal with more traditional sounding spiritualistic music. This is something that truly has to be seen to be believed, particularly in an intimate setting like The Dogtooth Stage. There is absolutely nothing else like them on the bill and are sure to be one of the talking points of the weekend. SC

Thrice (Zippo Encore Stage)

A long, long awaited return to Download and Donington for Thrice, who have not ventured to the hallowed grounds since the very first Download Festival in 2003. Their recently released album To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere has been heralded in the same way as some of their classic albums like The Artist In The Ambulance and Vheissu, and this is a band very much at the top of their creative powers. It will be wonderful to see them in a high profile slot at Download 2018. We cannot wait. JG

Download 2018 takes place from the 6th – 11th of June (bands from 8th – 10th June), headlined by Avenged Sevenfold, Guns N’Roses and Ozzy Osbourne. Tickets for both the full weekend and individual days are still available and can be obtained right here. Stay tuned to Rock Sins for even more Download Festival build up, and then full coverage of all the weekends’ action!